After being exiled for eighteen years, the prince returned to the capital as a veritable immortal.

"How could he possibly be the Old Man of Huangshi?"

Si Xuan's face showed disbelief.

Huangshi Old Man, also known as the Bridge God.

It is said that he possessed a celestial book.

Three thousand years ago, Ji Tiandi's strategist met an old man at the bridgehead.

The old man took off his shoes, ordered him to pick them up, and helped him put them on.

After the test, the old man bestowed the heavenly book upon the Heavenly Emperor's strategist.

Therefore, the strategist was able to forge alliances and establish unparalleled achievements for the Great Qian Dynasty.

The old man also possessed a unique skill in physiognomy, which he passed on to a female disciple.

This female disciple thus performed many extraordinary feats and was bestowed the title of the only female marquis in the world by Emperor Ji.

According to legend, the old man Huangshi is over three thousand years old.

In this world, even celestial beings and semi-immortals have a lifespan of only one thousand years.

"What, doesn't the old man look like it?" the old man asked, sitting cross-legged on the ground.

His displeased expression clearly indicated that he was saying something.

I am Huangshi Old Man.

"Oh, it really is." Si Xuan nodded.

Having already seen the Overlord Emperor, seeing the Old Man Huangshi again didn't seem surprising.

"Kid, pick up this old man's shoe, hey, you..."

Huang Shi was only halfway through his sentence when Si Xuan turned and left.

Being illuminated right in the middle of the road left him speechless, unsure of what to say.

Who are these people?

If the master is arrogant, then so be it.

The accompanying generals didn't even take him seriously.

To know.

For thousands of years, anyone who knew him was the Old Man of Huangshi.

Whether they are emperors, generals, officials, or commoners.

Everyone was trying their best to please him.

Unfortunately, I'm being left out in the cold today.

"Hmph, disrespectful to elders."

The old man from Huangshi took a few barefoot steps, picked up his straw sandals, and shuffled towards the large blue stone by the stream.

Zhou Yi was already sitting by the water, with Si Xuan and Wu Meng standing behind him.

Hu Die handed over a cup of tea, then pushed a plate of peach cakes in front of Old Man Huangshi, saying:

"Old man, if you are hungry, you may wish to eat some pastries first."

The old man from Huangshi didn't stand on ceremony and grabbed some pastries, stuffing them into his mouth.

When they choked, they would eat with tea.

While eating, he mumbled indistinctly:

“Young Zhou, your demeanor is no less than that of your ancestor, Emperor Ji. Not bad.”

"Not as good as my father-in-law."

Zhou Yi smiled faintly, "I have not yet found a way to extend one's life by more than a thousand years."

"Hehe, nothing can be hidden from you, kid."

The old man from Huangshi grinned, a hint of smugness in his expression.

Si Xuan's eyes lit up.

It turns out that this mysterious figure on the bridge possessed the magic to prolong life.

He blurted out, "I wonder what method the old immortal used?"

This world is suppressed by the rules of Heaven.

Under normal circumstances, the maximum lifespan is only one thousand years.

It's not just the old man from Huangshi.

This includes the Overlord Emperor and the Underworld Emperor, whom Zhou Yi was about to inspect.

They all used some special method to deceive the rules of Heaven.

Thus, the lifespan limit of a thousand years was broken.

Hu Die gave him a wink, and Si Xuan realized he had asked about someone's private matters.

"Hehe, everyone has their own way of thinking."

The old man Huangshi avoided answering, and laughed, "It cannot be said, it cannot be said."

Zhou Yi naturally wouldn't force anyone to do something against their will.

He calmly sipped his fragrant tea, not even bothering to ask why the other party had stopped his car.

Since then.

Old man Huang Shi was at a loss for words.

It is said that the grandson of the Emperor is immersed in cultivation and has a great fondness for ancient books.

After much deliberation, he decided to tempt him with benefits, saying:

"I possess a scroll of heavenly scripture, which can unite states, bring peace to the world, and quell chaos."

"..."

Seeing that Zhou Yi remained silent, the old man Huangshi continued:

"I have a book on physiognomy that can predict all things in the world."

Zhou Yi put down his teacup and said:

"Why don't you make a prediction, sir, whether your trip will go smoothly?"

"..."

The old man from Huangshi stroked his beard silently, sighing inwardly.

To maintain one's original aspirations even when facing one's favorite things is something that few can achieve.

Such people are extremely difficult to persuade.

So, he stopped beating around the bush and went straight to the point:

"I have heard that Your Highness intends to break the seal on the Dragon Vein and release the Overlord Emperor and the Underworld Emperor. I advise the Imperial Grandson not to act rashly."

“I am not a reckless person.”

"Is your heart filled only with the hatred for your parents and family?"

"Family feuds are one thing. I'm also opening up the cultivation limit for all cultivators in the world, allowing them to enjoy a lifespan of ten thousand years. What's wrong with that?"

"hehe."

Old Man Huangshi didn't take it seriously and shook his head, saying:

"Opening the dragon vein and releasing the Overlord Emperor and the Underworld Emperor will inevitably lead to widespread suffering and destruction."

"And Your Highness, you will become a sinner for all time."

"You're overthinking it, sir."

Zhou Yi said calmly, "Open the dragon vein and kill the two of them."

"Perhaps I will become a hero for all time."

"You..." Old man Huangshi was speechless for a moment.

"Slaying two terrestrial immortals, what a boastful tone."

Those are immortals; how could mortals possibly kill them?

The person who said that must be crazy.

He raised his eyes and looked at Zhou Yi's handsome face.

The other party looked serious and confident, and it turned out they weren't just spouting nonsense.

“Even your ancestor, Emperor Ji, didn’t have this much confidence,” he sighed.

“If we lacked confidence, why would our ancestors have left these two to us to deal with?” Zhou Yi said calmly, as if it were a matter of course.

"..."

At this point, all lobbying is superfluous.

The old man Huangshi sat on a blue stone.

Watching the carriage speed away, he sighed softly:

"The Zhou family has produced a true dragon!"

……

"Your Highness, why don't you ask the divine being on the bridge how he broke through the thousand-year lifespan limit?"

Si Xuan asked from outside the window.

A hint of regret was in his tone.

"It's just a deep sleep," Zhou Yifeng said casually.

"Oh, like bears, snakes, and insects hibernating?" Si Xuan said disappointedly.

"almost."

Zhou Yi explained, "They slumber in places beyond the reach of the Heavenly Dao's rules, and awaken to enter the mortal world after a period of time."

……

Imperial City.

Suddenly it became lively.

Everywhere, in the streets and alleys, in teahouses and restaurants, there were monks carrying swords and knives.

Martial arts candidates from all over the country gathered here.

The martial arts examination two days later will be their stage to showcase their skills.

In previous years, the candidates who participated in the imperial examinations were all full of vigor and pride.

This year is very different; everyone has a sour face.

After entering the city, they checked into an inn and stayed inside.

Most of them did not want to go to the capital, but were ordered by their sects to participate in the martial arts examination.

There was no other reason than the terrifying dead fog outside the city.

The dark, churning death energy gathered more and more, rising continuously along the transparent barrier protecting the imperial city.

Today, it stands more than twenty zhang tall, much taller than the city wall.

It's like a high, poisonous wall, ready to collapse at any moment.

It wasn't just the newly arrived martial arts candidates.

Even the city's residents, who had previously regained their composure, are now on edge again.

As the dead fog thickens, its corrosiveness increases.

Under the continuous corrosive effects of the massive amount of dead fog, the transparent barrier has become somewhat unstable.

The thick, golden circle that Zhou Yi drew on the ground was the source of the barrier's power.

The golden rays of light have become much thinner.

Moreover, it is becoming thinner at an increasingly faster rate.

Clearly, the more energy consumed, the thinner the gold thread becomes.

Once the energy is exhausted, the barrier will collapse.

At that time, the imperial city will be shrouded in a death fog.

The deadly fog, which kills upon contact, has become a nightmare in everyone's heart.

The people who had just been settled fled out of the city in large numbers again.

Those who are rich and powerful are fine, but where can poor, ordinary people go if they try to escape?

Many people watched anxiously, their thoughts drifting back to Zhou Yi.

"Your Highness, when will you be back?"

In the imperial court, the ministers repeated the same question.

"Your Majesty, when will Prince Yi be able to return to the capital?"

"Your Majesty, summon Prince Yi back to the capital immediately!"