Chapter 56: Road Toll

Yuanshi, as a newly emerged top‑tier innate saint, naturally regards Hongjun as an ordinary reincarnation of the Chaos demon god.

However, at present Yuanshi's only dilemma is that the three brothers are cultivating the immortal Dao methods passed down by Hongjun.

With outstanding talent, they have already cut off one corpse each and advanced to the "quasi‑saint early stage" that Hongjun mentions.

If they were to change their cultivation law, it's uncertain whether it would affect their future achievements!

Yet Yuanshi didn't wrestle with it for long, because Hongjun had already arrived on the scene!

"Tianyun!"

Hongjun roared, shielding Yuanshi behind himself.

He did not choose to strike Zhu Qingyun, because he was unsure where Yin Yang and Qian Kun were.

He feared that if all three were present and a great battle broke out, he couldn't protect Yuanshi!

"Comrade Hongjun, long time no see!"

Zhu Qingyun said with a smiling face.

"Comrade, I heard you've accepted the Four Great Direct Disciples and the Twelve Outer Gate disciples; why didn't you inform me? I want to congratulate you!"

At the same time, Zhu Qingyun pressed the vibrating Qian Kun‑crafted communication spirit treasure, and in no time Yin Yang and Yuan Feng also arrived.

Upon seeing Hongjun, Yin Yang couldn't help but want to act, and Zhu Qingyun quickly restrained Yin Yang.

"Comrade Tianyun, this is a private matter of my humble self, but I won't trouble you with it!"

Hongjun replied with a forced smile.

When Yin Yang and Yuan Feng arrived, he subtly shifted his stance, silently raising his vigilance and tightening his protection of Yuanshi.

"Comrade, you can't speak like that; you and I are 'life‑and‑death' friends, how could you not tell me such a big matter?"

Zhu Qingyun said this while glancing at Yuanshi Tianzun.

"I heard you plan to accept a total of thirty‑six disciples to form the Mysterious Gate's Thirty‑six Immortals; will you teach them? Shall I help share the burden?"

"I see you, Yuanshi, have great talent; perhaps you could entrust the Three Purities to me for instruction?"

Before Hongjun could speak, Yuanshi Tianzun, after a bout of inner struggle, spoke first.

"Yuanshi thanks Senior Comrade Tianyun for the favor, but Yuanshi wishes to stay by the teacher's side!"

Yuanshi Tianzun thought it over; uncertain whether after cutting three corpses he could follow other lawless paths, he concluded it was best to stay by Hongjun's side. Moreover, Hongjun's cultivation surpasses Zhu Qingyun's, and Yuanshi has always been Hongjun's most valued disciple.

Hongjun heard Yuanshi's reply and immediately smiled with satisfaction.

"Then I have indeed troubled you, Comrade; I will personally teach my disciple!"

Kind words cannot sway that damned spirit; mercy does not reach, self‑destruction ensues.

Since Yuanshi refuses, Zhu Qingyun naturally will not pursue it further.

As Zhu Qingyun shook his head and prepared to leave, streaks of light sliced the sky, reaching western Kunlun.

They were Hongjun's other three great direct disciples and the twelve outer gate disciples!

Leading them were Tai Shang and Tong Tian, among the Three Purities!

"Tai Shang, Tong Tian, I am Tianyun; my father's divine spirit manifests as lofty righteous qi, you and I share the same origin. Would you two be willing to leave the Mysterious Gate? I, as your peer, also wish to transmit the Dao to you; are you willing?"

Although Zhu Qingyun didn't know why Hongjun wanted to recruit disciples now, it seemed important to him, so Zhu Qingyun, who had intended to leave, saw Tai Shang and Tong Tian and asked further.

Tai Shang and Tong Tian were stunned; they hadn't expected such a scene upon arriving at western Kunlun.

But the two quickly recovered.

"Thank you, Senior Tianyun, for your favor; the teacher passed the Dao to me, appointing me as senior brother of the Mysterious Gate, yet I refuse to be that faith‑betraying person!"

Tai Shang said so.

Tong Tian was somewhat moved; unlike Yuanshi who constantly boasts, he also has a proud bone. He had been reluctant to become Hongjun's disciple before, but valuing brotherly ties, he eventually agreed.

Yet now the elder brother refused so outright, and the second brother's demeanor clearly indicated refusal as well.

Valuing brotherly bonds, he moved his lips slightly but said nothing.

Instead, he offered Zhu Qingyun an apologetic smile, bowed slightly, and performed a salute.

Zhu Qingyun observed Tong Tian's behavior, and from his knowledge of past‑life novels, also discerned Tong Tian's thoughts.

His heart stirred; the Three Purities might later fall apart, so Tong Tian himself truly had a chance to contend.

"Comrade, since my disciples are unwilling, when will you depart? My Kunlun Mountain does not warmly welcome you."

Hongjun glanced at Tong Tian, then issued a dismissal order to Zhu Qingyun.

His gaze fixed tightly on Zhu Qingyun, full of wariness.

Zhu Qingyun sensed Hongjun's slightly tense body, felt a subtle stir inside, and his pupils shifted.

"Comrade, didn't I say before that you and I are 'life‑and‑death' friends!"

Zhu Qingyun felt Hongjun seemed to overvalue these disciples, and immediately prepared to test him.

"Comrade, don't you think there are too many disciples? I'm worried it will affect your comprehension of the Great Dao, perhaps…"

"Shall I handle a few for you?"

He said "handle," but Hongjun understood the implication in Zhu Qingyun's words.

"That's not 'handling'—that's looking for a chance to slay a few! Hongjun was startled inside, but his face remained unchanged as he spoke."

"Comrade, don't pretend to be sincere; throughout the vast wilderness there are still a few who don't know you and I are mortal enemies. Leave my Kunlun quickly, or I won't mind striking you!"

Zhu Qingyun saw Hongjun's fierce tone and immediately understood that these disciples must be crucial to Hongjun's path of verification. "If you want me to leave, that's fine, but my elder brother and I are going to Mount Buzhou to visit a friend; we left in a hurry and didn't bring any treasures."

Zhu Qingyun said lazily.

"We happen to pass by your Kunlun Mountain; perhaps you could… pay a toll?"

Hongjun: "????"

Mysterious Gate Immortals: "????"

"No, you call that a toll?"

Dao friend, don't joke—what business do you have visiting your good friend Guanwu?

Hongjun was somewhat annoyed, feeling that Zhu Qingyun didn't take him seriously.

Hmm… not giving is okay; then I'll help you Dao friend handle a few disciples.

Zhu Qingyun feigned a yawn, his gaze sweeping around.

Huh, this Dao friend is surrounded by thunder and lightning; must be that Innate Divine Thunder Marsh?

I, this Dao friend has a clear wind accompanying him; could it be that Wind Earl?

This Dao friend…

Zhu Qingyun looked at Baowei Huichi, Hongjun's only female disciple, as if not recognizing her, and deliberately paused.

But unexpectedly, Luwu beside him took the opportunity to introduce.

Emperor, this is the Queen Mother of the West, master of the West Kunlun Jade Pool Secret Realm, qualified to become your consort!

Zhu Qingyun feigned sudden realization.

Oh… it turns out you are one of the Dao friend's four chief disciples, the Queen Mother of the West!

Zhu Qingyun pretended not to understand the message conveyed in Luwu's gaze; as his words fell, his expression instantly turned somewhat gloomy.

I'm late, brothers, give me some support! Please! (End of chapter)