Chapter 46: The Call of Long Xi

Wang Qinghe looked at the scene before her, feeling that she now not only had to raise a child but also had to raise Gu Jiangming's taste; this man was somewhat unkempt.

It was mainly because in the last Reincarnation, both the 【Shushan Dao Venerable】 and 【Peerless Elegance】 had left a deep impression on Wang Qinghe.

How did it come to this, where Gu Jiangming had turned into a bearded ascetic? This undoubtedly required giving Gu Jiangming a proper makeover.

【After you left the Taicang Ruins, you took the opportunity to approach a nearby main city to inquire about the news from the past twenty years.】

【You learned brand-new information—over these twenty years, the war between the Demon Race and the Human Race has been intermittent. Looking at today, both sides have further expanded the theater of war. Due to the inherently powerful and competitive nature of Demon Race cultivators, the Human Race's defensive lines are constantly shrinking, forming a situation where both sides rule half the territory each.】

【You took out all the spirit stones on hand to buy Gu Jiangming a new outfit, and his image was thus completely refreshed.】

【You headed to the Zhenggang Sect at the fastest possible speed.】

On the large map, Wang Qinghe's character avatar was seen with two smaller avatars beside it, moving toward the sect grounds where the Zhenggang Sect was located.

Before long, an imposing sight appeared before their eyes.

【In Beidi, mountains rise up, ten thousand zhang high, filled with Spirit Qi. Clouds and mist drift and wind around the mountain shapes. Clusters of mountains stand like scales on a fish, and several peaks surround a main peak like stars cradling the moon.】

【Directly in front of the Zhenggang Sect, there was an endless stream of visitors, among whom were countless mortals yearning for the path of immortality.】

【Several disciples, looking like Daoists, stood proudly at the top, looking down at the mortals below, appearing leisurely and carefree, looking quite dashing.】

【"Why... so lively?" Gu Jiangming pondered for a moment and asked.】

【"The Zhenggang Sect recruits new disciples from the mortal world every five years, and during that year, for at least three months, the mountain gates are open to the public," Wang Qinghe explained.】

【Gu Jiangming nodded after deep thought.】

【Combining this with the situation seen earlier, the current situation is turbulent, and many people are displaced, forced to run toward safer places.】

【These people have all witnessed the prowess of the Demon Race and have been chased and persecuted by them to this point; naturally, they hold a breath of resentment in their hearts. Given the opportunity to seek the Dao, they will not miss it.】

【Moreover, once they enter the mountain gate, not only can they find a stable place to stay while displaced, but they can also solve the most basic problem of food and clothing. It is no wonder so many people attempt to join the immortal sect.】

【However, such a large number of people is still breathtaking. If half of the mortals here could become entry-level disciples of the Zhenggang Sect, the improvement for the sect would be self-evident.】

【Wang Qinghe seemed to see your thoughts, "Out of ten thousand, if one can officially step onto the path of immortality, that is already considered outstanding talent. Many people cannot even perceive Spirit Qi."】

【"Most people are just wasting their efforts."】

Gu Jiangming realized that his 53 points of Mana talent did not seem as bad as he had imagined.

He thought of Jiu Jiu's 100 points of Mana talent.

It might be that this talent value did not just calculate for the Human Race, but also included the Demon Race and even those related to gods. Compared to them, the Human Race's talent for spells and divine abilities was undoubtedly somewhat inferior.

【Wang Qinghe led you to another path, a passage open only to Zhenggang Sect disciples.】

【The gatekeeping disciples had also long since changed their expressions; looking at their attire, they were likely just newly initiated outer sect disciples.】

【Wang Qinghe presented the Token exclusive to true-transmission disciples.】

【You did not encounter the slightest obstruction and arrived all the way at the main peak of the Zhenggang Sect—Zhenwu Mountain.】

【After walking step by step, you arrived at the peak where inner sect disciples practiced. Seeing Wang Qinghe, they revealed expressions of surprise.】

【"Senior Sister, you have finally returned."】

【An ethereal and cold voice rang out. A woman took the initiative to step forward to greet them, calling out quite joyfully, then looked at Gu Jiangming and revealed some confusion: "May I ask who this Senior Brother is?"】

【Gu Jiangming was about to introduce his identity.】

【Wang Qinghe did not avoid suspicion and frankly stated: "This is my husband. Over these years abroad, I have relied much on his care."】

【Subsequently, Wang Qinghe introduced to you: "This is my junior sister, Mu Xiuling."】

【"How has the sect been these years?" Wang Qinghe asked Mu Xiuling.】

【Mu Xiuling's expression sank slightly, "It cannot be said to be good."】

【Seeing her expression, Wang Qinghe's face also tightened. Having walked all the way here, most of the Zhenggang Sect disciples were no different from usual, so she did not feel that anything was wrong with the Zhenggang Sect.】

【"The Demon Race has been aggressive in recent years. The Sect Master went to rescue those commoners driven out by the Demon Race, was ambushed by demons and evil spirits, and was seriously injured. Now, all major sect affairs are being handled by the Seventh Junior Uncle."】

【"Then what about your master? Besides my father, isn't there your master?" Wang Qinghe continued to ask, "He has been in seclusion for a hundred years; he should have come out by now, right?"】

【"My master?" Mu Xiuling smiled bitterly, "He is obsessed with cultivation and has been in seclusion until now; he has yet to come out."】

Wang Qinghe's expression sank.

Now, the only Enlightenment Stage expert left in the entire Zhenggang Sect was her Seventh Junior Uncle, but this Seventh Junior Uncle of hers was a disaster.

Could she really take over the affairs of the Zhenggang Sect?

【"Qing'er, you have finally returned," a voice rang out, "Since you are back, why don't you pay respects to this Sect Master?"】

【"Greetings, Seventh Junior Uncle," Wang Qinghe bowed lightly.】

【In front of many disciples, the woman walked over step by step, appearing dignified and elegant. Seeing Wang Qinghe bow, she nodded with satisfaction, "No need for formalities."】

【"Let us go into the Sect Master's Hall to talk."】

【The woman glanced at you, "You... bring him and follow us in as well."】

【You followed their footsteps into the solemn and dignified Zhenggang Hall, the place where every generation of Zhenggang Sect Masters resided.】

【As soon as they entered, the woman whom Wang Qinghe called Seventh Junior Uncle kicked off the boots she was wearing, sat on the floor with her bare jade feet, appearing exceptionally at ease. She revealed a malicious smile and said, "Who is this? Qing'er, aren't you going to introduce him to your Senior Aunt?"】

【"Oh my, oh my, you even brought back a little doll for your Senior Aunt."】

【"Your Senior Aunt doesn't have any other gifts, so I'll just give him a box of Opening Meridian Pills to facilitate his Heavenly Foundation Establishment."】

【"Qing'er, you wouldn't look down on your Senior Aunt's gift, would you?"】

【"Thank you, Senior Aunt," Wang Qinghe said through gritted teeth, "However, since Seventh Junior Uncle has already taken the helm as Sect Master, shouldn't your behavior be more steady? Do not be so frivolous."】

【"Frivolous? Steady?" She glanced at Wang Qinghe, "I never wanted to be this damn Sect Master. It is rare to have a few days of leisure in life; it is better to just muddle through."】

【"Speaking of which, the Sect Master's affairs are all managed by your Sixth Senior Aunt. It is just that our Zhenggang Sect no longer has any capable Enlightenment Stage experts to hold the fort, so I have to come out to preside. What else can your Seventh Junior Uncle do?"】

【Speaking of this, her eyes lit up as she looked at Gu Jiangming, "This lover of yours is not bad; his physique is strong."】

【She reached out wanting to touch him, but Gu Jiangming dodged reflexively.】

【Seeing Gu Jiangming's movement, she stopped.】

【"What are you doing?" Wang Qinghe glared at her.】

【"He must be nearing the completion of the Nascent Soul Stage by now, right? The toughness of his physical body is almost comparable to a cultivator at the Enlightenment Stage, and there is a faint aura of the Dragon Race about him. The cultivation technique he practices... in my opinion, it is definitely no ordinary item."】

【"I am merely a senior martial uncle wanting to touch and see exactly what level he has reached; why are you being so nervous, you girl?"】

【"It is mainly because there is a difficult matter to handle recently, and he seems quite suitable for it."】

【"Junior Sister Yi, that is enough." A voice with a heavy aura rang out, and a figure appeared. His hair was already a pale, ashen gray, and his face was deathly pale, revealing his advanced age.】

【"Senior Martial Brother, you are already injured to this extent, so there is no need to come out, is there? Wouldn't it be fine to just wait for your daughter to come over herself?" The previously somewhat frivolous Seventh Martial Uncle's expression suddenly turned solemn.】

【You have encountered Wang Jiangxing, the Sect Leader of the Zhenggang Sect.】

【His gaze turned toward Gu Shengxi beside you.】

【His attitude toward you has decreased, and his attitude toward Gu Shengxi has increased.】

【"Are you alright?" Wang Jiangxing's gaze rested on Wang Qinghe.】

【"I am fine." Wang Qinghe did not dare to be negligent and answered honestly.】

【"The affairs of my sect are not for outsiders to assist with." Wang Jiangxing coughed lightly, "There is no need to involve outsiders."】

【"Oh my, Senior Martial Brother, look at how you speak; can your son-in-law really be called an outsider?" Yi Lezhi chuckled and said.】

【"Stop saying such senseless, angry words. You are already injured to this extent; if you keep getting angry for no reason, your bones will turn soft."】

【"The boat is already built, you might as well accept it."】

【"Look, how wonderful it is to have an extra grandson. Looking at his spiritual root talent, he is a talent worth molding."】

【Gu Shengxi looked ahead with ignorant eyes.】

【Wang Jiangxing sighed, and a Flying Sword landed in Gu Jiangming's hand.】

【"See, Senior Martial Brother is soft-hearted after all. Let this serve as our Zhenggang Sect's welcoming gift to you both."】

【"Regarding the secret realm, I have other candidates." Wang Jiangxing paused and said, "The journey was long and tiring, and it was not easy for you to return, so just stay here."】

【"Now I see that Senior Martial Brother is just having a bit of trouble saving face, but it shouldn't be a big deal. You just need to stay for a few days," Yi Lezhi added.】

【"Shut your mouth." Wang Jiangxing felt his blood and Qi surging, unable to hide the changes in his mood; no matter how good one's cultivation of the Dao is, it would be broken here.】

【Truly... a wicked obstacle!】

【Wang Jiangxing sighed helplessly.】

【The screen darkened, and it quickly jumped to the next day's itinerary.】

【And in reality.】

【In the sea area deep within the South Sea.】

【Long Xi discovered that no matter how she called out, she received no response from Gu Panyu.】

【He seemed to have fallen into a deep slumber, without any movement.】

【"Gu Panyu."】

【"Let me see where exactly you have gone."】

【Long Xi closed her eyes, sensing everything in all things, and a bright spot slowly appeared before her eyes.】

【She had been unable to contact Gu Panyu no matter what earlier, not knowing where he had gone.】

【Now, she only needed to rebuild the bridge between the deity and the Believer.】

【Huh?】

【He... seems to have gone through Reincarnation once again?】

【(End of this chapter)】