Chapter 378: Returning to the Mountain, Returning Home

Back to the sect, back home.

On the Fifth Peak.

"Hahaha..."

Meng Changqing, in a remarkably cheerful mood, couldn't help but smile as he welcomed Du En, who had just been brought back. "This mission can be called a complete success. We have severely thwarted the schemes and plots of that woman, Huiqing. With this, it will be very difficult for her to lay a finger on the Resentful Evils again in the short term!"

Even for a True Monarch of our sect, meddling with Resentful Evils is essentially picking up the leftovers of the Supremes; it is difficult to find suitable occasions to cultivate them. Places as special and suitable as the Queguang Star Realm are rare, and True Monarch Huiqing only had that one! Therefore, now that Du En has destroyed her plan, there is no need to worry about her playing any tricks in this regard for quite a long time to come.

Of course, just because she cannot meddle with the Resentful Evils doesn't mean she can't try other avenues. Rather, although the True Monarchs currently place enough importance on Resentful Evils, they are not overly focused on them.

The reason is simple: the Supreme Master above our heads is walking at the very forefront of this path. This "wielding an axe before the master" is mainly to see how the axe is swung!

Therefore, the events and schemes involving the ripples triggered by the Evil Dragon are not necessarily directly related to the Resentful Evils; they are merely connected to a greater or lesser extent.

Meng Changqing was just about to suppress his excitement and offer some admonitions—which were really just him talking to himself—when Du En spoke, instantly making him calm down.

"Zheng Xing is a traitor."

"..."

"The situation is as follows."

Du En gave him no room to collect his thoughts while he was stunned, and recounted his experiences in broad strokes. Meng Changqing's emotions fluctuated wildly as he listened.

Dejection, sighing, suspicion, gravity, admiration...

"The Tear River is currently tied to the Six Heavens Sorrow Demon Sword, and the Demon Sword is protecting this child due to Chang Lingfeng's dying wish. At that final moment, Chang Lingfeng's behavior was very strange, which in turn caused the Tear River and the Demon Sword to become abnormal."

As Du En said this, he tried to investigate, and with a thought, the Demon Sword appeared in response to his call.

Meng Changqing steadied his mind and fixed his gaze on this Demon Sword. It was the manifestation of the Sorrow Demon Dao, the port of the Tear River...

For a moment, he seemed to see something incomprehensible, and he couldn't help but frown and shake his head.

"I don't understand it, I don't understand it at all. I know that Tear River; it was a new river created by Huiqing using spiritual veins as a foundation, melting in all kinds of bitter tears, and finally using the legacy of the Sorrow Demon Dao—the old, dried-up riverbed left behind after they were wiped out by the Supremes back then—to contain it."

"By rights, it should be a Sixth-Tier legacy treasure, carrying the fundamental techniques of the Sorrow Demon Dao. Because it has a sufficient quantity and quality of external force, it can irrigate a Transformation Deity stage demon in a short time and give it a mana supply that cannot be exhausted for a while, so it was clearly aimed at you."

"But now, it seems to be connected to the so-called Tear River of the mortal world, that river where the joys and sorrows of all living beings converge. No, no, furthermore, the fundamental technique of that Sorrow Demon Dao is not the Six Heavens Sorrow Sutra at all!"

By the end, Meng Changqing was not only extremely grave but also seemed to be filled with deep confusion.

Yet the next moment, after blinking his eyes, he suddenly changed his tone: "I have a rough idea about the Tear River and the Sorrow Demon Sword. You don't need to worry; the problem is not big. At least it won't erupt within a hundred years. Besides, Huiqing won't lose face by coming back to snatch it; after all, it only has the latent power of a Sixth-Tier item, while its external manifestation is only Fifth-Tier. It can be considered a loss to me."

Hm? Du En watched as this quasi-True Monarch changed his face in an instant, acting as if he were completely unaware of it himself. He became thoughtful and, seeing no benefit in saying more, simply nodded silently.

"This child doesn't seem to have the aptitude for immortal cultivation. How do you plan to arrange things for him?"

"I want to take him home for my parents to raise. It will keep him away from trouble, and incidentally, the Sorrow Demon Sword can also look after my home."

"Hmm, that's not bad. Besides, you can also return home in glory and stroll through the various cities in the Southern Lands."

"No, I'm just going home and then I'll be back. You should prepare the time acceleration first."

"Ah? You're breaking through again?"

Meng Changqing was stunned for a moment. For others, immortal cultivation is basically a waste of time and ineffective, but for Du En, it really is a case of getting results for every bit of time spent! To be this fiercely diligent even at the Transformation Deity stage—honestly, he was starting to feel the pressure!

"I cannot slow my pace. Zheng Xing was used by True Monarch Huiqing to verify my current state. Presumably, there will be a corresponding trap waiting for me later, so of course I cannot be slack!"

"That is true. Zheng Xing, sigh!"

Meng Changqing couldn't help but sigh; he really hadn't expected a trusted subordinate to have such thoughts and intentions.

Then, he had no time to dwell on these trivial matters.

Because Du En spoke again: "Regarding the calamity faced by the Queguang Star Realm between thirty thousand and ten thousand years ago, and the foreign star and foreign path methods they obtained—that planting path technique—what do you know about it?"

"Don't treat me like someone who knows everything. Unless I truly become a True Monarch, they will tacitly hide some things from me. Of course, it's not impossible to inquire; as long as I can find a clue, I can play a game of chess with them."

Currently, it is mainly True Monarch Zhuding who is easier to deal with, though of course, it also requires paying a price.

Du En nodded and handed him two more things.

"The Mo Ju City, help me repair it."

"Hm?!"

Damn! Meng Changqing took the thing, glanced at it, and his scalp instantly went numb.

You don't even look at what kind of heavyweight item this is, and you want me to repair it for you?

"Uh, I'll try, I'll try my best..."

"And this, the moment of 'Extinguishing Form' intercepted by the Great Cultivator Mo Ju. They say that if one studies it, one might be able to derive a technique specifically for eliminating Resentful Evils."

"No problem, I will definitely be able to repair it!"

Meng Changqing took the lock, then looked at the Mo Ju City, and his eyes changed instantly.

Because to unlock it to the maximum extent and study a technique to restrain and kill Resentful Evils—one that doesn't require one to die oneself—it is necessary to first master the Mo Ju method; if that's not possible, one must at least be proficient and familiar with it.

There is no better template now than the Mo Ju City, this masterpiece of synthesis! "There is also this batch of Essence Steel. It can both restrain the evil nature of the Spirit Mother and has an effect on the Great Demons that have taken form through greed. It might be quite special and could be particularly useful somewhere."

Du En took out these items and piled them up outside the courtyard.

Meng Changqing couldn't help but feel tears welling up in his eyes as he watched.

You finally know how to take the initiative to give back to the sect! In the past, all my investments felt like they were thrown into water; they made a loud splash, but they all sank to the bottom.

But in fact, Du En was just dumping all the troublesome tasks onto Meng Changqing so that he could focus on his cultivation without distraction and improve his cultivation and strength as quickly as possible.

"Regarding the time acceleration, can you make it a bit more elaborate for me?" "How elaborate? Also, this is the Dao technique Jiang Ying said she would give you. She has already gone to break through to the Transformation Deity stage and entrusted me to give it to you. I modified it a bit and added other elements; it should be quite suitable for you."

Meng Changqing had originally wanted to hold onto it slightly, hoping to use it to bait Du En later, but he didn't think that way anymore. He was extremely satisfied and excited, with the attitude of 'I will give you whatever you want.'

"Simply put, when I am practicing the Dao technique, the acceleration should be applied to Kongsang Mountain to form a localized, unstable space-time surge, thereby blurring the normal boundaries of time and allowing me to practice better and faster."

Du En's intention was simple: he didn't just want the length of time, he wanted the breadth of time. Of course, considering Meng Changqing's abilities, it was actually a bit of a compromise.

Even so, it made the person opposite feel that he had been happy too soon, as if he had walked into a trap!

"Uh, I'll try, I'll try my best."

Meng Changqing answered this way, and he also had a clear realization of Du En's growth in strength.

Being able to proactively mention space-time surges proved that he had already vaguely perceived the entanglement between time and space... No, I must hurry up and break through; this kid is really about to catch up!

However, looking again at the two things grasped in his hands, he was instantly conflicted once more.

"... It seems I must also perform a space-time limit-breaking, multi-pronged operation!"

Grasp both hands, and both hands must be firm! As for the burden, grit his teeth, and he would always be able to endure it!

Seeing that the matters had been explained and finished, Du En nodded directly, then turned and left with the child, leaving behind the determined and impatient Meng Changqing.

Falling Feather Immortal Sect, mortal territory.

Lang Prefecture, Qingshui County, Wolian Township.

Didi didada~ The sound of the trumpet was blown, lingering for three days.

Pipa pengpengpeng~ The sound of firecrackers could not stop, appearing very festive.

The Du family mansion in the township could be called festive today; it was the hundred-day banquet for their own little grandson, and they chose to hold it with great fanfare. Master Du, who was still in the prime of his life, was truly smiling from ear to ear, welcoming guests and seeing them off everywhere.

Although he actually did not know where he got so many familiar guests, he had experienced the signs before, such as his son's wedding banquet and several other large and small happy events, only that fewer people had come, so this time, he did not fuss over it too much.

"Anyway, it must be the influence that stinky brat brought home. This is actually fine; at the very least, I can know that he is living better and better..."

Then, Father Du discovered that this Du En's life felt a bit too good!

Because this time, even the dignified Prefecture Governor, the chief official of the prefecture, had specially graced them with his presence!

"Um, Governor, sir?"

"No need, no need, no need for 'sir'. You and I are of the same generation and age; I should be calling you 'old brother'!"

The Governor wore his official robes, dusty from the journey, having rushed all the way from the prefecture city; he had managed to arrive just in time, yet he had no complaints at all, only bowing and scraping, exceptionally respectful.

It made Father Du's scalp tingle, while the other guests were not surprised.

They also knew from channels large or small about the extraordinary nature of this rural Du family today. Previously, there was just no excuse, or they hadn't seized the opportunity, so it was hard to visit rashly. Thus, once they heard there was another happy event here, they naturally seized the opportunity immediately and scurried over to get familiar.

Offering congratulations! Just passing by, joining in the fun! No matter what, it wouldn't be too much; after all, it was a festive day, and being lively was better than being cold! Although Father Du felt there were some issues, upon second thought he felt it wasn't a big problem, so he stroked his beard and didn't mind.

Until the appearance of this heavyweight figure before him.

Because the other party did not come alone; if he had come by himself, he certainly would not have worn his official robes.

What kind of imposing posture was that to strike? It was easy to fail at offering congratulations and instead be met with disgust!

"The Emperor in the capital has also heard of this. Coincidentally, there is a shared joy in the palace, so he felt it was just right and immediately dispatched this humble official to bring the congratulatory gifts together. This is called the Son of Heaven and the commoners rejoicing together!"

Damn, is it really that coincidental? Father Du muttered in his heart, subconsciously glancing at the guard of his own family.

Or rather, those guards! Unknowingly, the guards in this house had increased, and they were all very enthusiastic and proactive. If you told them to leave, they would nod and leave, then hide in the shadows, lingering and refusing to go.

If it weren't for an accident that exposed this, Father Du wouldn't have known these guys would be so attentive!

And so the guards stopped hiding and came out into the open.

Father Du roughly knew what was going on; after all, the initial guards were specially brought when his second son—the one who was now a father himself—was born, along with the permission from the Immortal Sect and some messages from Du En.

Immortal cultivators! To tell the truth, at first, he felt his scalp tingle at this situation, as those of the Immortal Sect were not necessarily good people, but later it gradually became normalized, because these people were truly good people.

At this moment, facing the gaze of Master Du, the guards were calm and collected, only indicating to him that there was no problem.

Their attitude was easygoing and close; they were even fishing buddies! Although if they didn't use some tricks, they actually couldn't out-fish him.

The Governor glanced over cautiously, secretly shocked; he clearly also had channels to know the identities of these guards, and thus appeared even more humble.

—Even the immortal cultivator retainers of the Imperial Palace usually looked at imperial relatives with their nostrils; how could they be as easygoing and close as the Du family?! The Governor's attitude became even more humble, and Father Du was also a bit cautious.

It was only after this exchange of courtesies that the other party was allowed to be seated at the main table.

Even so, he didn't dare to sit firmly, acting completely like a servant.

Father Du shook his head as he watched, then looked back; his own family members, to be precise, four people, also seemed a bit uncomfortable.

Mother Du, Madam Jin, was well past fifty, but because she had not lacked various dietary supplements over the years, she looked quite young, with a rosy complexion.

Dressed festively, the young man who had just become a father had not yet reached his capping ceremony, but his posture was upright; at this moment, however, he was a bit restless, his eyes unable to stop looking at three places.

The first place was the various strangers constantly being added to the table; whoever was picked out seemed quite formidable, but they were basically all smiling like flowers, in a posture of restraining themselves from fawning while being truly unable to help it.

He thought to himself, with even the Governor coming to show support, there shouldn't be anyone else, right? After all, even the Emperor's congratulations had been brought.

The second place was the people beside him; sitting on his right was his mother, and sitting on his left were two people, his wife and child.

The young wife was holding the hundred-day-old child; the child was the protagonist of the day and was currently fast asleep, but among the coming and going guests, apart from those familiar clansmen from the township, not a single one dared to take the initiative to speak of it, appearing as if it were a taboo!

(End of chapter)